Crundwell pleaded guilty to wire fraud and was sentenced in February to about 20 years in prison.

Prosecutors say Crundwell stole the money over 22 years as Dixon’s bookkeeper, even while the city was having trouble paying its bills. She used the money to live lavishly and to build a nationally renowned horse-breeding operation.

Crundwell’s lawyer is Paul Gaziano, who declined to comment Friday.

He’d tried to argue a judge abused his discretion when giving Crundwell more time than recommended under federal guidelines.